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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),
is initiating a collaborative long-term study and plan called the Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan (MRERP)
to identify and guide the actions required to restore ecosystem functions, mitigate habitat losses, and recover native
fish and wildlife on the Missouri River, while seeking balance with social, economic, and cultural values for future
generations. The USACE is in the process of inviting representatives from Federal agencies and Tribal and State
governments to participate as cooperating agencies on the project. Cooperating agencies will provide ongoing
coordination and support as well as product development and reviews throughout the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) process, working closely with the USACE. The MRERP will also be developed in consultation with the
Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC), a committee formed to provide guidance to the Secretary
of the Army on matters regarding the recovery of the Missouri River. In addition, the general public will be involved
at multiple points of the study process. Ultimately, this MRERP will establish criteria and priorities for restoration
of the Missouri River basin and provide a vision for the future of the Missouri River Recovery Program. |
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WRDA 2007 directs the Secretary of the Army, in consultation with the Missouri River Recovery Implementation
committee (MRRIC), to conduct a study of the Missouri River and its tributaries to determine actions required to:
- Mitigate losses of aquatic and terrestrial habitat;
- Recover federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act; and,
- Restore the ecosystem to prevent further declines among other native species
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Goal
The study will develop a single, comprehensive and integrated plan to guide the implementation
of Federal programs associated with mitigation, recovery, and restoration activities in the Missouri
River Basin. The study and resulting plan will:
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Goal (cont.)
under the ESA, and to participate in restoring
lost and degraded aquatic ecosystems in the Missouri River Basin;
- Prioritize areas, programs and projects for implementation to achieve stated
mitigation, recovery, and restoration goals and objectives; and
- Identify existing Federal authorities and programs that could be used to achieve
mitigation, recovery, and restoration goals and objectives; identify gaps in authorities or programs;
and, identify other physical, hydrological, ecological, budgetary, or policy constraints affecting
optimal implementation.
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